Indiana Estate Planning Attorney Helps Protect Your Assets

Preserving your family’s wealth for future generations

Whether you’re planning the parameters of your future medical care or establishing support for loved ones upon your death, I can help with all aspects of your estate plan, including:

• Advance directives (living wills)
• Estate tax issues
• Choosing the appropriate executor
• Guardianships and conservatorships
• Living trusts
• Wills drafting

Estate planning documents are extremely flexible and can be designed to fit your unique needs. I work closely with you to determine your goals and create precise instruments to carry out your intentions.

Securing your legacy

You’ve worked hard for your family, so knowing that you have planned for their long-term well-being and financial security can bring you great comfort. We thoroughly analyze your estate and strategize the best means of transferring your assets, minimizing taxes, establishing guardianship for your children, caring for your pets, supporting personal philanthropic causes and protecting your loved ones.

Draft your advance directive and last will and testament

A will is essential at every stage of your life. Your advance directive (or living will) sets the parameters for medical intervention should you become incapacitated. This assures that when you are most vulnerable, your wishes will be honored.

Your last will provides the opportunity to distribute your property, establish care for your children and otherwise express your wishes upon your death. A will is necessary if you intend to leave property to a person or entity other than a blood relative, such as a domestic partner, a friend or a charity. If you die without a will, the court determines how your property is distributed, who cares for your children and even what happens to your pet – making decisions that might not reflect your desires.

Drafting valid wills to ensure your intentions are honored.

Changing your will

As your life changes, so might your estate plan. You should update your will periodically throughout your life. I draft valid codicils that address changes in your financial situation, marital status, number of children, philanthropic interests and general lifestyle decisions.

Message regarding digital assets

Due to the widespread use of the Internet and web-based technologies as part of everyday life, you may have created a number of passwords for accessing your on-line information. Please consider putting together and keeping current a list of such on-line accounts, user names, and passwords and the accounts to which they provide access. It is very difficult and in some cases impossible to find passwords after a person dies or becomes incapacitated. Creating a list now could prove to be immensely helpful in the future.

Appointment of guardians

If you have minor children, your will allows you to make decisions about their future care. Naming a guardian is especially important if you are a single parent, but even married couples must consider the remote possibility of perishing in a common incident. If you do not name a guardian, the court will appoint one whose decisions may be in conflict with your parenting goals. You can also make arrangements for your pets’ care in your will, even naming a guardian to assume ownership.

Contact an estate planning lawyer you can trust.

For comprehensive estate planning services in South Bend and throughout Indiana, call my office at 574-314-9126 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.